Synthesis and inhibition of PGE2 production of 6,8-disubstituted chrysin derivatives

A series of 6,8-disubstituted chrysin derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated for their PGE2 inhibitory activities. 6,8-Disubstituted chrysin derivatives were obtained from naturally occurring chrysin by halogenation, oxidation, thiomethylation and C-C cross coupling reaction. Among the compounds investigated, 6,8-dibromochrysin (2), 6,8-diiodochrysin (4), 6,8-dimethylthiochrysin (9) and 6,8-dimethoxychrysin (11) showed as strong inhibitory activities of PGE2 production from LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells as wogonin, a well known natural flavone having strong and selective COX-2 inhibitory activity.